Ore sizer or classifier.



No; 733,743; PATENTED SEPTQS, 190s.

- W. B. GILMORE.

ORE SIZER 0R GLASSIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20.1903.

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R0 MODEL.

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No. 738,748. PATENTED SEPT. s, 1903.

W. B. GILMORE. ORE SIZBR 0R OLASSIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20. 1903.

NO MODEL, 3 SHEBTSSHEET Z.

. g/la No. 738,743. PATENTBD SEPT. 8, 1903.

W. B. GILMORE.

ORE SIZER 0R GLASSIFIER.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 20. 1903. v

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N0 MODEL.

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Patented September 8, 1903. 1

PATENT FFICE.

WILLIS BRIDGI-IAM GILMORE, OF IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

ORE SIZER on CI-LASSIFIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,743, dated September 8, 1903.

Application filed April 20, 1963. Serial No. 153,542. (No model.)

To etZZ whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, WILLIS BRIDGHAM GIL- MORE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Idaho Springs, in the county of Clear Creek and State of Colorado, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Ore Sizers or Classifiers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apper tains to make and use the same, reference be which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ore-sizing apparatus; and it consists of the features, arrangements, and combinations hereinafter. described and claimed, all of which will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

, In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of my improved apparatus shown partly in elevation and partly in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken at right angles to Fig. 1, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a section taken through the float of one :of the settling-tanks, still further enlarged.

Fig. e is a top view in detail of one of the levers forming a part of the mechanism connected with the float, the lever being shown in connection with a collapsible hood for controlling the discharge of water from the tank and the parts being shown on a larger scale than in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top view of the pulp-receptacle, from which the sizing-tan ks obtain their supply. Figs. 6 and 7 are sections taken on the lines 6 6 and 7 7, respectively, ofFig. 5, the parts being shown on a larger scale. A portion of Fig. 7 is seetionized on a line taken through the pivotbolts which form the fulcrum of the mercurycontrolled lever.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate each of two settling-tanks, which are cone-shaped, with their apexes downward. The tanks are suitably mounted on aframe 6 of any ordinary or suitable construction, and they are arranged in suitable proximity to each other.

Mounted on the framework directly above i the settling-tanks is a pulp-receptacle 7, from which the settling-tanks receive their supply from outlets 8 in the bottom of the receptacle, one being located directly above the center of each tank 5. The upper extremity of each outlet 8 is provided with a seat adapted to receive a ball-valve 9. One of these valves is suspended by a chain or other suitable connection 10 from each extremity of a tubular lever 12, fulcrumed on a bracket 14, as shown at 13. This lever contains mercury, and when one of the valves is closed, as shown at the right of Fig. 1, the mercury is all in the portion of the tube on the side of the fulcrum where the seated valve is located, and the valve remains seated until a float 15 in the tank remote from the seated valve rises and engages a depending rod 16, connected with one extremity of a short lever 17, fulcrumed at 18. The extremity of: the lever 17' remote from the rod 16 is connected with the lever 12 on one side of the latters fulcrum. It is evi dent that as the float 15 rises and'forces the rod 16 upwardly the lever 17 will act on the le- 'ver 12 to unseat the valve on the opposite side of the fulcrum, tilting the lever 12 to cause the mercury to flow into the leverarm on the side of the fulcrum where the tank containing the elevated float is located. The'two tanks 5 operate in harmony. When the float of one v is fully elevated, the float of the other is at its lowest limit of movement. When the float of one tank reaches its extreme elevation and 8 5 actuates the lever 12, as heretofore explained, the valve 9 above the opposite tank is opened and the corresponding valve above the tank containing the elevated float closed, all as hereinafter fully explained.

The float 15 of each tank may be composed of any suitable material adapted to readily float as the pulp fed from the receptacle 7 accumulates in the tank. As shown in the drawings, it is assumed that the body 15 of 5 each float is composed of wood. In this part of each float are formed two openings 17, diametrically located, in which are mounted collapsible hoods 18, connected with the upper extremities of two flexible conduits 19, whose 10:) lower extremities are connected witha rigid outlet-pipe 20, which extends downwardly beyond the lower extremity of the tank. The discharge of water by way of this pipe '20 is slots or grooves 22.

controlled by a valve 21. The conduits 19 may consist of ordinary hose-pipe and are of suflicient length to allow the float to rise freely to the desired height in the tank. In the top of each float are formed grooves 22, whose outer extremities communicate with the hood-openings 17, while their inner'extremities lead to a'central cylindrical opening 23, whose lower extremity is closed by a plate 24, attached to the bottom of the float and provided with an opening through which passes an open-ended tube 25. This tube 25 passes entirely through the float and communicates at its upper extremity with an auxiliary tank 26, having a base 27, to which is attached a depending sleeve 28, which ex tends downwardly into the top of the opening 23 and whose lower extremity engages a coil-spring 29. The lower extremity of this spring rests on the plate 24. The top of the float is provided with a sheet-metal covering 30, which prevents the water or pulp from entering the float at the top. Made fast to the top of the float and surrounding the opening 23 is a collar 31, upon which the base 27 rests when the tank 26 is .in the lowermost position. (See Fig. 3.) When the tank 26 is full, its weight is sufficient to depress the spring 29, whereby the auxiliary tank rests on top of the float. On two opposite sides of the sleeve 28 are pivotally connected, as shown at 23, the inner extremities of two levers 33, whose outer extremities are connected with the hoods 18. These lovers are fulcrumed intermediate their extremities between pins 34, fast to the float on opposite sides of the When the auxiliary tank 'is full, as shown in Fig. 3, its sleeve 28 is thrust downwardly in the opening 23, and the inner extremities of the lovers 33 are depressed and their outer extremities elevated to raise the upper extremities of the hoods 18 above the level of the water in the tank 5, whereby no water can escape from the tank by way of the pipes 19and 20.

In describing the operation of the mechanism I will assume that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the float 15 in the tank at the right being at its lowest limit of movement and the float of the tank at the left in a position about to engage the rod 16, but before it has acted thereon to operate the lever 12. As soon as the float of the left tank has moved a short distance farther upwardly it will press on the rod 16 sufficiently to actuate the short lever 17 and tilt the left arm of the lever 12 downwardly, whereby the valve 9 at the right is unseated and the valve that there is a rod 16 and a lever 17 connected with the lever 12 above each tank,'whereby each float acts to shift the lever 12 as the float reaches its upward limit of movement. As soon as the discharge into the tank 5 at the left ceases the auxiliary tank 26 will soon empty itself by way of the tube 25; but as long as the pulp is entering the tank from the receptacle 7 the auxiliary tank is kept full, since the pulp enters through the inlet 8 much faster than it escapes through the tube 25. As soon as the auxiliary tank is empty or has lost its contents sufliciently for the purpose the recoil of the spring 29 lifts the auxiliary tank 26 and depresses the tops of the hoods 18 below the level of the waterline in the tank 5, the Water-level being indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 3. As soon as this occurs the water will begin to escape from the top of the tank at the left by way of the pipes 19 and 20. The rapidity of this escape may be regulated by the valve 21. In this manner the pure water is drawn off from the top of the tank as fast as the solid material settles, the float falling to keep pace with the escape of the water and the settling operation. After the material settles in the bottom of the tank it is drawn off by way of a pipe 40, downwardly inclined to a pipe 41, which may lead to a concentrating-table (not shown) or other suitable location. It is evident that the coarsest particles of ores will settle first and the finer material last. Hence the different sizes may be separated, if desired, and conducted to difierent concentrating-tables for treatment. As the liquid escapes from the tank 5 the float continues to move downwardly until it has reached the lowermost position, or that shown in the tank 5 at the right.

While the tank 5 at the left is emptying, the pulp is accumulating in the corresponding tank at the right. This accumulating pulp first fills the auxiliary tank 26, since the escape therefrom by way of the tube 25 is very much slower than the entrance from the inlet 8 above, and as soon as the tank 26 is full it moves downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3, whereby the upper extremities of the hoods 18 are raised above the water-level and kept raised until the float actuates the lever 12 through the instrumentality of the rod 16 and the short lever 17 to cut ofi the escape of pulp to the tank 5'at the right, as heretofore explained when speaking of the corresponding tank at the left. As soon as the auxiliary tank 26 is filled the pulp overflows from the top thereof and, falling on the top of the float, runs over its top and escapes As the pulp gradu-- engages therod 16 above said tank and actuates the lever 12, whereby a valve 9 is closed to shut off the supply of pulp to the right tank and a valve 9 opened to allow the pulp to pass into the left tank. The right tank 5 is providedwith an escape-conduit 40 for the solid material, the same as the tank at the left.

ltwill be observed that while the coarser particles-are escaping from one tank 5 the.

finer particles are escaping from the other tank 5, since the material which settles first in either tank is the coarsest and thematel rial which settles last is the finest.

Each tank 5 is. provided with a number of guide-wings 44, which cause the float to move vertically, preventing lateral displacement. The. top of each hood 18 is provided with a screen covering 18 which prevents the entrance of large particles. The hood is also provided with an interior coil-spring 18, which prevents the hood from collapsing laterally- .If it'were not for this spring there i might be atendency of the hood when collapsed vertically to overlap the outlet-opening and prevent the escape of the liquid.

If for any reason the float should fail to act on the lever mechanism to out off the supply througha dependingpipe 43.

ass

of pulp to either tank when the latter contains the proper quantity, provision is made to allow the water to overflow and. escape The upper part of each tank is provided with an overflow-outletcommunicating with the pipe 43, as shownlat 42.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is t *1. Ina sizing or settling apparatus, the

. combination of two settling-tanks and a pulpthe supplyetank, and a suitable connection.

between the receptacle of each float and the flexible conduit, whereby the discharge through the said conduit is regulated and controlled.

2. In a sizing and settlingapparatus, the combination of two settling-tanks and a pulpsupply tank, the latterbeing provided with t i an outlet located above each settling-tank,

valve mechanism for controlling the discharge of pulp from said outlets, and so arranged that when either outlet is closed, the

otherwis opened, afloat located in each settling-tank, a flexible discharge-conduit connected with each float, a receptacle movably mounted on each float and connected with the flexible discharge-conduit for controlling the discharge from said conduit and means (See Fig. 1.)

connected with the valve mechanism and arranged to be engaged by the float ofthe settling-tank receiving the discharge, whereby when the float has reached apredetermined elevation, the valve mechanism is actuated and permit the discharge to the other tank,

the discharge from the supply-tank being arranged to enter the receptacle mounted on I the float of the settling-tank.

3. In settling apparatus, the combination of a tan-k, afloat mounted therein, aflexible conduit connected with the float at one extremity, its other extremity being in comto cut off the pulp-supply to the one tank munication with an outlet from the tank,

a receptacle mounted on the float, said receptacle being vertically movable and normally spring-supported whereby it is held at its upward limit of movement, a connection between the receptacle and the upper extremity of the flexible conduit whereby when the receptacle is empty the upper extremity of the conduit is below the level of the water or pulp in the tank, while when the receptacle is full, it moves downwardly against the tension of the spring, and raises the up per extremity of the flexible conduit above the level of the liquid in the tank.

4. The combination of a tank, a float located therein, a flexible conduit connected with the float at one extremity and with an outlet from the tank at the opposite extremity, a receptacle mounted. on the float, the said receptacle being vertically movable and having an outlet to the tank, a spring ,supporting the receptacle while empty but which ter contains a suitable quantity of pulp or liquid, a connection between the receptacle and the flexible conduit, whereby the upper extremity of the latter is raised above the liquid-level when the receptacle is in its lowered position, and depressed below said level when the receptacle is raised, and means for discharging pulp into the receptacle faster than it can escape by way of the latters outlet, whereby the receptacle first fills and then overflows into the tank. i

5. In settling apparatus, the combination of a tank having an outlet for the settled ma terial, and a liquid-outlet distinct from the outlet for the solid material, a float, a flexible conduit connected with the float at one exis depressed by the receptacle when the lattremity and with the liquidoutlet at the op posite extremity, a liquid-receptacle mounted on the float and having an outlet to the tank, the said receptacle being vertically movable and spring-supported, means fordis-, charging pulp into the receptacle faster than it escapes byway of its outlet, and a lever suitably fulcrumed on the float and connected at one extremity with the upper extremity of the flexible conduit, and at its opposite extremity with said receptacle, the arrangement being such that when the receptacle is filled it is depressed and raises the upper extrelnity of the flexible conduit above the liquidlevel of the tank, while when the receptacle is empty, the upper extremity of the conduit is lowered below the liquid-level of the tank.

6. The combination of a settling-tank having an outlet for the solid material and a distinct outlet for the liquid, a float, a flexible conduit connecting the float with the liquiddischarge outlet whereby the liquid is drawn off from the top while the solid material is settling, the liquid-discharge being timed to keep pace with the settling operation, a supply source, means connected with the said source and controlled by the float of the settling-tank, whereby the supply of pulp to the latter is regulated and controlled, a receptacle movably mounted on the float and arranged to receive the discharge from the supply source, and a connection between the receptacle and the flexible discharge-conduit whereby the latter is controlled to regulate the discharge.

7. The combination ofa settling-tank having an outlet for the solid material and a distinct outlet for the water, a float, flexible conduits connecting the float with the water-outlet, a water-receptacle mounted on the float and vertically movable, a spring normally supporting the receptacle in the elevated position, and levers fulcrumed on the float and connecting the said receptacle with the upper extremities of the flexible conduits, the arrangement being such that while the receptacleis empty, the upper extremities of the conduits are held below the level of the liquid, while when the receptacle contains a suitable quantity of pulp, the upper extremities of the said conduits are held above the liquid-level of the liquid in the tank.

8. In settling apparatus, the combination of two tanks each having an outlet for the solid material and a distinct outlet for the water, float mechanism mounted in each tank and provided with a flexible conduit connected with the water-outlet, the arrangement being such that the water is drawn off at the top to keep pace with the settling of the solid material, a supply-tank mounted above the settling-tanks, suitable mechanism connected with the supply-tank and operated from the floats, whereby there is a discharge from the supply-tank to the settling-tanks alternately, a receptacle movably mounted on each float and arranged to receive the discharge from the supply-tank, and a connection between each receptacle and the flexible conduit of the settling-tank whereby the discharge from said conduit is regulated.

9. In a sizing or settling apparatus, the combination of two conical tanks, each having an outlet for the discharge of the solid particles and a distinct outlet for the discharge of the liquid, a float located in each tank, a flexible conduit connected with the float at one extremity and with the liquid-outlet at the opposite extremity, the extremity of the flexible conduit connected with the float, being provided with a collapsible hood, a verticallymovable spring-supported receptacle mounted on each float, a lever connecting the said receptacle with the hood whereby the latter is raised or lowered to bring the hood above or below the liquid-level as described, the receptacle having an outlet to the tank, a pulpsupply tank mounted above the settlingtanks and provided with outlets adapted to discharge pulp into the receptacles 26 faster than it escapes from the outlets of said receptacles, a tubular lever fulcrumed on the supply-tank and containing mercury, a valve connected with each extremity of the lever,

an auxiliary lever also fulcrumed on the supply-tank and connected with each armof the tubular lever at one extremity, a depending rod connected with each auxiliary lever at the opposite extremity, the said rod lying in the path of the float of the settling-tan kwhen the latter has reached a predetermined elevation', the arrangement being such that as either float engages the said rod, the valve above the tank containing the actuating-float, will be closed to cut off the supply of pulp to that tank, and the other valve opened to perniit the pulp to pass to the opposite tank.

10. The combination with a settling-tank, of a float, a discharge-conduit connected with the float, a receptacle movably mounted on the float, and a regulating connection between the receptacle and the discharge-conduit.

11. The combination with a settling-tank, of a float mounted therein, a discharge-conduit connected with the float, a receptacle movably mounted on the float, an outlet from the receptacle to the tank, a supply source from which liquid may be fed to the receptacle faster than it'escapes by way of its outlet, a spring supporting-said receptacle when empty, but allowing the receptacle to move downwardly when a suitable quantity of liquid has accumulated therein, means for cutting off the supply to the receptacle at predetermined intervals, and a connection between the receptacle and the discharge-conduit whereby the discharge from the tank by way of the latter is regulated and controlled. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIS BRIDGHAM GILMORE.

Witnesses:

GEORGE J. BRADLEY, AUGUST HORSCH. 

